Kevin Durant goes off on the media for their treatment of Kobe Bryant

Sunday, the basketball world exploded with the news that Kobe Bryant would be hanging it up after this season. Following 20 years on the court, this will be the end for one of the unquestioned greats of all time.

Now, while Bryant is in fact one of the best to ever play the game, he has been the butt of a lot of jokes in recent years, especially this one. With age catching up to him, he's not the assassin with a ball that he used to be, and yes, at some times it can be a tad hilarious.

When asked about Bryant's retirement, Durant went off on basically all of us that have been having a laugh at the expense of Kobe recently to the Oklahoman.

"I did idolize Kobe Bryant. I studied him, wanted to be like him. He was our Michael Jordan. I watched Michael toward the end of his career with the Wizards and I seen that's what Kobe emerged as the guy for us. I've been disappointed this year because you guys (media) treated him like s---. He's a legend and all I hear is about how bad he's playing, how bad he's shooting, time for him to hang it up. You guys treated one of our legends like s--- and I didn't really like it. Hopefully now you can start being nice to him now that he decided to retire after this year. It was sad the way he was getting treated."

You know, he's not wrong. Yes, it's all fun and games when we sit here nightly and watch Kobe chuck up what we think is the most ridiculous shot of all time and belly laugh at it. However, that's not even a fraction of what this man was in the NBA throughout his 20 years of service. Oftentimes, there were Michael Jordan comparisons.

So personally, as a member of the media, I will say: I'm sorry, Kevin, and I promise my treatment of Bryant going forward will be much better than it was before.

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Kevin Durant goes off on the media for their treatment of Kobe Bryant

30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-15)

Last week: 30

Stat: Have taken the second-lowest amount of mid-range shots in NBA

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29. Los Angeles Lakers (2-12)

Last week: 29

Stat: Rank last in team field goal percentage (41.1 percent)

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28. Brooklyn Nets (3-11)

Last week: 28

Stat: Just two players shooting over 30 percent from three-point range (Larkin, Jack)

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27. Sacramento Kings (5-10)

Last week: 25

Stat: 5.4 points better per 100 possessions with Rondo on the bench

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26. Denver Nuggets (6-9)

Last week: 22

Stat: Opponents are shooting 46.1 percent (26th)

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25. New Orleans Pelicans (3-11)

Last week: 27

Stat: Holding opponents to 39.7 percent shooting over last two games (2-0)